How to avoid nerves during job interviews

Do you ever feel nervous when preparing for job interviews? Do nerves interfere with your ability to be the best version of yourself during interviews?

I created this four-minute video to help you avoid nerves during job interviews.

Determine why you’re nervous.

Have you adequately prepared? Have you researched the company and position, printed out copies of your resume and cover letter, and completed at least one mock interview? Have you read plenty of articles about common interview questions, how to succeed in job interviews, etc.? Did you only get four hours of sleep last night, drank three cups of coffee within two hours to make up for lack of sleep, and now feel entirely too jittery?

Determining the reason you feel nervous is key. If you don’t understand the problem, you can’t solve it or prevent it.

Here are five ways to help you avoid nerves during interviews.

Practice and prepare. Consider job interviews to be the most important meetings you’ll ever have; they help determine your future career path. If you have not adequately prepared with the help of career services professionals on your college campus or with a career coach you hired, get busy! Conduct practice interviews or mock interviews and ask for your expert’s best interview tips.

Be sure to research the company thoroughly and understand the scope of the position. Research the company firsthand by talking to current and former employees if possible. This helps you answer the question, “Why do you want to work for this company?” without looking like a deer in the headlights. The more you research the company and position and practice and prepare for the interview, the more confident you’ll feel, and your nerves will take a backseat to your motivation to land the job.

Do something fun. If you’ve prepared adequately and still feel nervous before job interviews, do something fun, relaxing, or trivial to get your mind off the interview. For a few hours prior to the job interview, listen to soothing music, drink some hot tea, take a leisurely walk outside, or watch silly YouTube videos.

Ask yourself the HALT question. Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? If so, take care of your basic needs before job interviews. Don’t arrive on site with a growling tummy, a brooding resentment, or droopy eyelids due to lack of sleep. Take care of yourself, prepare for the interview, and you’ll likely feel much less nervous.

Remember the advice your elementary school teachers gave you before standardized tests? Take that advice when preparing for job interviews. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a balanced breakfast (or lunch, if your interview is scheduled for afternoon). Take care of yourself.

Prepare spiritually. Meditate for a few minutes, practice deep breathing techniques, pray, and think positive thoughts before job interviews. The benefits of prayer and meditation are proven—why not take advantage of these practices during the interview process?

Remember, interviewing is a two-way street. While you may be nervous about landing the job, the employer is probably just as nervous about asking you questions and finding the right candidate for the position. Job interviews are just as much about you learning about the company and position as they are about employers learning about you as a candidate.

Be yourself during job interviews, but be the best version of yourself by assessing your state of mind and emotions in advance and taking care of yourself accordingly.